Chatsworth, CA - March 15, 1997 — The latest release of Adobe Systems industry standard video editing software, Premiere, is now shipping its Windows product bundled with SmartSound Special Edition, a limited edition version of Sonic Desktop's breakthrough soundtrack creation technology, according to sources at both companies.

SmartSound technology allows the Premiere user to create music and sound effects soundtracks for their movies and videos customized to their exact specifications with just a few clicks of a mouse. The technology, embodied in their flagship product SmartSound For Multimedia, features an interface that makes working with and customizing audio easier than ever, according to many of the 4 - and 5 - star product reviews appearing in such publications as PC Magazine, PC Computing and Boot Magazine.

Kevin Klingler, President of Sonic Desktop Software explains; "The interface works on two levels, both of which are standard metaphors for PC User Interface design. What's unique about SmartSound is that this is the first audio software to apply these standard UIs to the process of editing audio." The first level is a simple "Wizards" approach that literally walks the user through the process of creating their soundtrack. A deeper level segments the audio and then converts these segments into simple graphical blocks called Smart Blocks™, which are easily dragged and dropped to a timeline for very complex yet precise audio editing.

"We were attracted to Sonic Desktop's SmartSound Technology because their graphical approach to editing and customizing audio is ideal for our customers. It provides an environment for audio that most resembles what we have accomplished with Premiere and our other graphics products" states Product Marketing Manager of Premiere Jerry Lewis. "This technology allows Premiere users to edit the length of the audio accurate to 1/10 of a second with just a few mouse clicks saving them significant time in their audio editing process."

The underlying technology of SmartSound allows the user to take a 2 minute clip of music (which is supplied with the software) and customize it into, for example, a 13.3 second piece that sounds as if it were written and produced by a professional composer. The resulting piece has no abrupt endings or fade outs. "We feel that our customers will greatly benefit by being able to create custom soundtracks for their Premiere projects quickly and easily and get completely professional results" Lewis adds.

SmartSound® Special Edition is a limited edition of the software that includes a small amount of "Smart" content (music and sound effects). As an evaluation version, it is designed to introduce the Premiere user to this technology. The full version of the product, SmartSound® For Multimedia is available from Sonic Desktop Software for $199.00 and includes the first CD from the Audio Palette series (74 minutes of full digital music and sound effects that are royalty free, covering 50 different styles and moods). Additional CDs of audio are available for $69.00.

Klingler says "We are delighted with the opportunity of working with Adobe Systems on this bundle. This extends and deepens the relationship that was established last year when we bundled this technology with Adobe Persuasion, their presentation product. We have recently upgraded our Macintosh version of this product and will be continuing to add features and capabilities that will create even greater benefits and value for Adobe's customers regardless of platform."

Sonic Desktop Software, The Soundtrack Company, is the developer and marketer of the SmartSound® family of audio software products that help the typical computer user create stunning, professional quality soundtracks quickly and easily. The company's products, available for the Windows 95 Windows 3.1, Windows NT, Macintosh and Power Macintosh, include SmartSound® Special Edition, SmartSound® Showcase, SmartSound For Multimedia, and the SmartSound Audio Palette series of music and sound effects library add-ons. The company is headquartered in Chatsworth, a northwest suburb of Los Angeles, California.